Dear Mr President Trump...

[Linuxnut79]

I submitted an email to the white house.  hopefully someone actually reads this.  

Quote

 

Dear President Trump,

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen regarding the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) ongoing prohibition on the use of linked repeaters in the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). This outdated restriction severely hampers the potential of GMRS as a vital communication tool for families, communities, and emergency responders across the nation.

Your administration's bold regulation reversals, such as slashing burdensome EPA rules and streamlining energy permits, have unleashed American innovation and economic growth. I commend your leadership in cutting red tape that stifles progress.

GMRS is a licensed radio service designed for short-distance, two-way communications, often used by individuals and groups for personal, recreational, and safety purposes. It operates on UHF frequencies and allows the use of repeaters to extend signal range, making it invaluable in rural areas, during outdoor activities, or in times of crisis when cellular networks may fail. However, the FCC's rules, specifically under Part 95, explicitly ban the linking of repeaters—whether via the internet, telephone networks, or other means—which prevents users from creating wider coverage networks.

GMRS users are law-abiding citizens who diligently follow the rules, even when they disagree with them, standing in stark contrast to today's society where rule-breaking seems increasingly common. This commitment to compliance makes them deserving of regulatory relief that rewards responsibility.

This ban, clarified and reinforced by the FCC in August 2024, limits GMRS users to isolated repeater systems, restricting communication to localized areas. As a result, families separated by distance cannot reliably stay connected, community groups face challenges in coordinating events or responses, and emergency preparedness is undermined. For instance, during natural disasters like hurricanes or wildfires, linked repeaters could enable seamless information sharing over broader regions, potentially saving lives and property.

The rationale behind the FCC's stance—concerns over increased interference and spectrum overuse—is understandable but increasingly outdated in our modern technological landscape. Advances in digital protocols and smart frequency management could mitigate these risks, allowing for responsible linking without compromising the service's integrity. Moreover, other radio services, such as amateur radio (ham), permit linking, demonstrating that it can be done effectively and safely.

By allowing linked repeaters in GMRS, we could foster innovation, enhance public safety, and empower everyday Americans to build resilient communication networks. This change would align with your administration's emphasis on deregulation, technological advancement, and supporting American families—much like your successful reversals of overreaching regulations in telecom and broadcasting that boosted competition and consumer choice.

I urge you to direct the FCC to reconsider and revise these rules, perhaps by supporting recent petitions from GMRS operators seeking to lift the ban on internet-linked repeaters. Such action would greatly benefit millions of licensed users and strengthen our nation's communication infrastructure.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to your leadership in resolving it.

Sincerely,

Bert Holbert Jr

 

 

[LeoG]

While some of the advantages of linking repeaters is nice the whole concept of using many of the only 8 repeater channels makes it unappealing.

And especially when a "club" owns said repeaters on a paid only subscription base.

Add a dozen more channels and designate a few of them for linking and that might fix it.